Monthly Archives: July 2013

2013 Hochstetter Lecture

Senior Lecturer in Active Tectonics and Geomorphology, University of Canterbury

7.30 pm, Monday 22 July 2013,

at Hawke’s Bay Holt Planetarium, Chambers St, Napier

The Canterbury earthquake sequence (CES) started with the 2010 moment magnitude (Mw) 7.1 Darfield earthquake and includes thousands of Mw ≥ 3 aftershocks, most notably the fatal 22 Feb Mw 6.2 Christchurch earthquake. The largest CES earthquakes caused geologic and geomorphic processes that changed the Canterbury landscape. Some of these changes lasted only hours and others will persist in the geologic record for 103 to 106 yrs or longer. Careful documentation of the geomorphic and geologic effects of the Canterbury earthquake sequence and comparing these with instrumental seismic data is important because it helps to define the seismic thresholds for generating these phenomena and it enables paleoseismologists to better interpret these features when they are observed in the geologic record. This talk will summarize the impacts of the CES and show new evidence for the timing, extent, and conditions of prehistoric earthquakes in this region, including penultimate rupture on the Greendale Fault, prehistoric liquefaction in eastern Christchurch, and prehistoric rockfall in the Port Hills south of Christchurch. Better attention to the geologic record will help us to avoid further land planning mistakes and increase societal and financial resilience to future earthquakes both in Christchurch and elsewhere in New Zealand.

Admission: Gold coin donation from members of the public, bookings not required

Special Lecture to the branch and general public

Science, Innovation and Economic Prosperity

After training as a physician specialising in paediatrics, Sir Peter has spent the greater part of his professional life in scientific research. He founded the world-class Liggins Institute and is a globally renowned thinker in the field of endocrinology, with a particular focus on foetal and child growth. He has received numerous awards from scientific societies and academies. In 2001 he was awarded New Zealand’s highest scientific honour, the Rutherford Medal and is the only New Zealander elected to be a Foreign Member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. In 2011, Sir Peter was awarded the inaugural Callaghan Medal for outstanding contribution to science communication, in particular for raising public awareness of the value of science to human progress.

In this lecture Sir Peter will address the role of community and business in science, business and economic prosperity. This is a valuable opportunity to hear and contribute to discussions that can influence national policy makers.

Admission: Gold coin, bookings not required – but audience size will be limited so we recommend you get there early. Note the time and location for this event are different from usual!

Science and Music – Einstein’s Universe

Tuesday 16 July at 5.30 pm at the Municipal Theatre Napier Professor Brian Foster (Oxford and Hamburg universities) will present a lecture entitled “Einstein’s Universe”, accompanied by violinist Jack Liebeck. Professor Foster and Jack Liebeck interweave music and science in a presentation which links Einstein’s favourite instrument, the violin, with many of the concepts of modern physics that he founded.

At 8 pm at the same venue there will be a 100 minute concert of chamber music that Einstein played and loved. This special event is organized by Chamber Music New Zealand and the Royal Society of New Zealand. We are very grateful to RSNZ for choosing Hawke’s Bay as one of the venues for this event. Entry to this event is not free – tickets can be bought from Ticketek. Branch members can get more information at www.chambermusic.co.nz or by calling 0800 CONCERT (266 2378).

Branch administration changes

The 139th Annual General Meeting of the branch was held at 7.00 pm Thursday 20 June at the Hawke’s Bay Holt Planetarium, prior to the lecture by Dr Vincent Bus. The minutes will be circulated later, but some changes to Council need to be noted right now. At the AGM Dan Bloomer was elected President of the Branch, with Lynne Trafford elected Vice-President. Antony Steiner was elected to council and Willis Dark resigned. Jeff Reid now becomes Immediate Past President. A meeting of the new council was held on Tuesday 25 June 2013. At that meeting Carol Larson was confirmed as Secretary, and Jennifer Hartley accepted the offer to remain as Treasurer.

Jennifer is on to it already – you may have noticed subscription invoices in your mail! Do please help us by dealing with these promptly.

Upcoming lectures and events

Tuesday 27 August Dr Ross Ferguson ONZM FRSNZ, will address us on “Plants that changed history”. Ross’s research contributed greatly to kiwifruit becoming NZ’s most important horticultural export. The lecture will be illustrated with many paintings and engravings. And apparently Ross will also discuss the implications of some “socially acceptable addictions”! The lecture will be held at the Hawke’s Bay Holt Planetarium, Chambers St Napier (on the grounds of Napier Boys High School).